A lesson on how to (not) get a cousin picture

My sister bought matching Christmas pajamas for the kids, complete with Santa hats.  I'm a realist and didn't think we'd get the perfect picture, but I also didn't think I'd be a disaster.

Note to self, in the future, take the posed picture in the middle of the day.  After naps or after lunch and while the kids are still happy and still on the Christmas high.  Not at the end of the evening when they are overtired and ready to sleep.

Madeline is crying here.  It's hard to tell from this picture, but I assure you she's gone.  And it lasted quite a while.

Madeline was removed and most of the adults are laughing.  It was kind of funny.  I mean, if I could string all the images together you'd barely scratch the surface of how hilarious this setting actually was.

And hey! Two out of three isn't bad!

But then there's also this.  Lots of pictures like this.

And this.  hahaha.  And we want all three kids, not one or two.

How did we get Madeline back in the mix?  One word: chocolate.

Quick! Someone get Ethan some, too!

Aaaaaand now the baby is done.

Notice how Ethan's chocolate is still being eaten.  This will change.

And we're back to two out of three.

I think my dad thought getting a picture of the two big kids back-to-back was a good idea.  One second into this idea and Ethan plowed Madeline down.

And that's it folks.  Ethan got up and decided the chocolate wasn't good and threw it up and we all gave up.  I think on the other camera there are shots of all three in the picture, but I can't be certain. But these pictures make me smile because family is together, the kids look adorable and, really, it was funny. Truly funny to watch us attempt to get a picture of all three kiddos :)